Accra: President John Dramani Mahama has engaged members of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs at the Presidency in Accra. The delegation, led by Nene Sakite II, President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs and Paramount Chief of the Manya Krobo Traditional Area, visited to congratulate President Mahama on his election victory in the 2024 general election. They also expressed appreciation for the developmental projects initiated in the Eastern Region under his leadership over the past year.
According to Ghana News Agency, the delegation included Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II, the Kwahuhene and Vice President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs, and Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, the Okyehene. Other members were Okotwaasuo Kantamanto Owoare Agyekum III, Omanhene of Akyem Bosome; Nana Osei Nyarko III, Boso-Guahene; Daasebre Kwaku Boateng III, Omanhene of New Juaben Traditional Area; Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akuffo III, Akuapemhene; and Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III, Akwamuhene. Akusiaku Brempong Kumi Sasraku VIII, Anumhene, Oseadeeyo Dr. Frimpong Manso IV, Akyem Kotokuhene; Nene Oklepeme Nuer Anobah Sasraku, and Konor of the Yilo Krobo Traditional Area were also present.
President Mahama assured the chiefs of his commitment to evenly spreading development across the country. He highlighted ongoing efforts to operationalize the newly constructed University of Engineering and Agricultural Sciences (UEAS) at Bunso in the Eastern Region. He noted that the government was leveraging renewed investor confidence and infrastructure development to open the economy.
He stated, "We are meeting all our debt obligations. Inflation is down. The currency has appreciated value, and we have a relatively stable macroeconomic environment. The economy is more resilient and is withstanding external shocks arising from the Middle East conflict. We are reaching important milestones and remain focused. After a successful completion of the IMF bailout, we intend to maintain the strict fiscal discipline that has resulted in the stabilization of the macroeconomic environment."
President Mahama acknowledged the challenges in creating job opportunities for young people, emphasizing the need for private sector investment and industrialization. He mentioned the uncapping of the District Assembly Common Fund, allowing MMDA's to maintain 80 percent of their allocations for projects like the 24-Hour Economy markets to stimulate growth.
He also discussed the benefits of the Free Primary Health Care program, designed to complement the National Health Insurance Scheme, the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (MahamaCares), and the expansion of health facilities.
The President assured that the Government would not abandon the Eastern Regional Hospital project, promising to have the contractor resume work and announcing plans to commence three new hospital projects for the new regions.
Nene Sakite II congratulated President Mahama for the successes achieved and expressed gratitude for the ongoing development projects in the Region. He highlighted the importance of the engagement in opening new avenues for partnership and reinforcing shared goals, stating, "I would like to indicate that we are taking note of the work being done around us in the Region. And for that, we are greatly appreciative. We are hoping that work will continue until the end."
Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, Mr. Ahmed Ibrahim, Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, and other senior government officials were present at the meeting.